Momentum building at Exe

By Mark Stevens

Gareth Steenson says momentum within the Exeter Chiefs camp is building nicely ahead of the start of the new Aviva Premiership season.

Rob Baxter’s side made it back-to-back wins in pre-season on Friday night as they overcame a strong Ulster side 22-21 at the Kingspan Stadium.

Two tries from Matt Jess, plus another from Henry Slade, were the main highlights for the visitors, whose remaining points came courtesy of Steenson’s right boot in the second half.

Exeter’s win followed up their 24-17 success over Cardiff Blues and now fly-half Steenson is hoping the Chiefs can round off their pre-season programme with a third and final victory over Championship side Worcester Warriors at Sixways this coming Friday (7.30pm).

For Steenson, though, it was a happy homecoming for the 30-year-old, who was part of Ulster’s Academy set-up as a youngster before later moving onto play in England for Rotherham, Cornish Pirates and, of course, the Chiefs.

“We’re really pleased to have got the win,” said Steenson. To get a win away from home - that’s two from two now - it’s all very pleasing. Yes, there were were or two discipline issues to sort, but overall it’s great to get the victory.”

Dungannon-born Steenson said the Chiefs would take plenty of positives from their friendly wins over both the Blues and Ulster, but knows there is still parts of the game plan that needed to be sorted ahead of their opening league fixture against London Welsh on Sunday, September 7.

“Obviously Cardiff are a strong side and to then come to a place like Ulster, who are on the way up and one of the top teams in Europe, and get a result like this is fantastic,” added Steenson. “We know there were one of two of their boys missing, but for us it’s all about winning away from home and getting a result, so we are very pleased.

“We have one more pre-season game left to play and then it’s onto London Welsh, so it’s about building momentum. We have got results in these last two games and now we move on to Worcester next week and hopefully we can put in a good performance.”

The Chiefs saw off the Warriors three times last season - twice in the Premiership and also in the LV= Cup - but Steenson knows the Midlanders always carry a decent threat and is bracing himself for a creditable test in their final work-out.

“Worcester are always a strong side, especially up there, so we expect them to come out all guns blazing,” said Steenson. “Obviously they went down last season, but I’m sure they’ll be looking to bounce back straight away. Like us, it’s going to be there last game before the season starts, so they’ll want to try and get a result as well.”